European socialism taking root in US, Varney says
FBN's Stuart Varney on European socialism and class warfare reaching America.
I consider myself a refugee from European socialism. I didn't like it. When I got to America, I felt liberated.
Forty years later, I’ve got a case of déjà vu – I keep hearing echoes from across the Atlantic. That socialist mindset has established itself here.
What caught my attention was a headline in The Washington Post: “Wall Street's average bonus in 2017? Three times what most us households made all year."
The writer breathlessly tells us the "bonus payout" for those bankers and brokers reached $184,220 last year. Almost back to pre-crash levels. It’s dangerous, says the Post – incentive pay encourages risk taking! And all that money just makes income inequality worse.
A couple of points: this article appeared in the Trump-hating Washington Post. To them, income inequality is a big issue. They are with Bernie Sanders on this. And yes, they conveniently forget that the Post's owner is Jeff Bezos, the Amazon man, who just happens to be the most income unequal guy – he's the richest person in the world, worth a staggering $120 billion plus! You have to laugh: income inequality! From the plutocrat Post!
But what really got to me was the jealousy. The snide contempt for making money. The denigration of success. That is pure, socialist Europe. It’s class warfare. And it’s here.
What hypocrisy is on display here: the wealthy elites, voting for leftist policies and politicians. The rich, supposedly angered by income inequality – you may be tempted to laugh. Don't.
Socialism is pernicious. It is: "you've got it. I want it. Give it to me. Now.” For those of us who have lived in societies like that, it’s not funny. It’s awful.
Imagine my joy when I arrived here all those years ago: in this huge, dynamic country, I had some scope. A chance to climb the income ladder and make something of myself. I wasn't held back by social class. Nobody cared where I came from or who my dad worked for. You got any brains, drive, talent and ability? Well put it to work. It’s a wonderful place, and I’ve loved it from the get-go.
Socialism be damned!